Every part of me felt as if a brick had hit me, or at least as if I had fallen from a tall height, thus bruising every inch of skin I had.
Training for hours on end and then using whatever precious time I had left to battle plan would do that to a person.
“I think my Wielding is going to bed now,” Wyn said from my side.
“Can your Wielding go to sleep?” I asked.
“Maybe, it needs a nap. And a good, hearty meal. And wine. Lots and lots of wine.”
I snorted, shaking my head. “It would be nice to have a night off and have a drink, even though I don’t think I’m old enough to drink yet.” I almost laughed at that last part. To think of human laws when I hadn’t been human for over a year felt odd.
“You’re in the Maison realm. You’re old enough. You’re fighting wars, and the Spirit Priestess is supposed to save us all and all of that lovely prophecy crap. You’re allowed to have a glass of wine.”
“Well, thank you for your permission,” I said, shaking my head. “Although I really just want a nap. Though I feel bad that I’m so tired. Because we need to be training harder.”
“You and I are still learning our new elements, and we’re training so hard that our bodies hurt. We’re allowed to rest. After all, we’re all waiting for the other shoe to drop, and that could happen at any moment.”
“Well, thank you for making me think of the next horror that awaits us, rather than what my bed feels like.”
“You’re just thinking about who’s in that bed with you,” Wyn said with a wink.
I knew I was blushing a deep red, and I tugged my hair out of its short, stubby ponytail. I missed the long waves I once had and the fact that I could braid it or do a hundred different hairstyles. The sword that had cleaved the ends of it hadn’t left me with enough hair to do much with, though it wasn’t as if I knew how to style my hair. However, Easton didn’t seem to mind it this length. I blushed again.
“So, things seem to be going well for the two of you.”
“Perhaps.”
“He’s the king, and you are his Priestess. I’m pretty sure the two of you are having enough fun at night that it’s another reason you’re so exhausted in the mornings.”
I covered my face with my hands and groaned. “Stop it. Or I’m going to ask why you’re so tired.”
I lowered my hands as Wyn just blushed and looked away. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I had just been fishing, but I grinned. “So, tell me? Why are you so tired?”
“The new Wielding. That’s it.”
“Why don’t I believe you?” I asked.
“You don’t have to believe me. I am sleeping alone. And I probably will for a very long time.”
“So, it has nothing to do with the former Lumière prince who looks at you when you pretend you’re not looking at him?”
Wyn froze and shook her head, her expression falling. I felt horrible and could have rightly kicked myself just then for prying. We liked teasing each other, and Wyn was a good friend, but I had been fishing, and now I felt terrible.
“There is nothing between Rhodes and me. And there will never be. There’s far too much animosity in our past to go forward with anything other than an alliance. Plus, he annoys me to no end.”
“He doesn’t annoy you that much. Not anymore.”
“He is pompous and self-righteous and an asshole most of the time. He thinks he knows what I need to be doing to prove that my Wielding is increasing and improving. So…no, thank you. He’s not mine.”
“Good to know,” Rhodes said from behind her. I looked up, not having realized he, Slavik, and Easton had joined us.
I winced as Easton just shook his head at me and kissed my temple. “Stay out of it,” he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. I was sure that no one else had been able to hear.
Slavik, however, put his hands on his hips and grinned at Wyn. “Well, if you’re still looking for someone and this prince over here isn’t interested? How about a king?”
He leered, and I knew it was overdone just to make Wyn laugh. Thankfully, she did. She snorted, pushed at Slavik’s shoulder, and moved past Rhodes without saying another word.
“Well, that was fun,” Slavik said, slamming his hand down on Rhodes’ shoulder. Rhodes was big and strong, but Slavik had that Earth Wielding energy that made him slightly bulkier. The fact that Rhodes winced at all told me that Slavik hadn’t held back with the motion.
“Okay, then. Are we ready for our next meeting?” Rhodes said, completely ignoring the rest of us and what had just happened.
I shook my head. “I’m too tired right now. I could use some sleep. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Easton said, looking around. “I honestly think everybody could use a break tonight. We are all fighting with the same goal in mind. Sure, we might not be enough for The Gray at this very moment, but if we don’t find a way to relax and increase morale, it’s not going to be good for any of us.”
I was grateful. I didn’t want to have to try to persuade him in front of the others.
“I bet if we talked to Justise and Ridley, they could help us figure out how to make sure everybody has time to relax.”
Rosamond walked in, Emory by her side, Luken and Braelynn following.
The Seer smiled. “No worries, I know what must be done. Food is already on its way, the same with mead and other accouterments to make people happy. Tonight will be a night of relaxation and morale-boosting.”
“Sometimes being a Seer has its advantages,” Emory said.
“And, sometimes, it’s scary as hell,” I said, giving Rosamond a look.
“You’re right. It isn’t easy to keep up with everything going on, but I saw that we needed time to relax, so I took it upon myself to do what I could. If that was in error, don’t worry, I can take it back.”
“Thank you, Seer,” Easton said. “Thank you for taking care of our people.”
“Always, my king. For as long as I am able.”
And on that cryptic note, they walked away as a group, leaving me and Easton standing with Rhodes and Slavik, all of us seemingly confused as hell.
“Has she always been that spooky?” Slavik asked.
“Since I was a little kid,” Rhodes answered.
“Really?” I asked, intrigued.
“Yep. My sister’s always been a little creepy, a bit different, and she was well into her powers by the time I showed up. However, she was always there for me, even when my mother couldn’t always be because, apparently, my father was trying to kill her.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Don’t be. We’ve all been through hell, but we’re here. We’re together. And we’re going to beat The Gray. We beat my family, we won against the Obscurité, who tried to take everything from us. We’ll beat this, too. Because that’s what we do.”
“And on that note, I do believe it’s time to drink, make merry, and maybe find a few Wielders who don’t mind making a little more.” Slavik winked at me, put his arm around Rhodes’ shoulder, and nudged him towards where the others were gathering.